Newcastle United stars past and present were in Dallas as England got their World Cup campaign underway in an action-packed affair, with the Three Lions running out 4-2 winners.
Dan Burn's Case Strengthened Despite Watching from Bench
Dan Burn will have to wait to make an impact at the World Cup in the United States, but his case was arguably strengthened in front of over 70,000 fans as England wobbled defensively. John Stones came under fire when Petar Sucic turned him before Martin Baturina fired home, with Burn watching from the bench.
Stones finds himself as a first-choice despite playing just two England friendly matches, with no appearances for Manchester City since February in four months. Burn, on the other hand, has played 50 games for club and country in 2025-26 and was described by England legend Sol Campbell as 'ready' last week.
A defensive change resulted in Tottenham's Djed Spence, who made the squad ahead of Lewis Hall, coming in on the right for Jude Bellingham as the Three Lions looked to lock things up before Stones eventually went off for Manchester City star Marc Guehi. Spence actually got forward to force a save out of the goalkeeper late on as England piled on late pressure, and the ex-Newcastle target Guehi came on to shore up.
Burn has already stated he would not complain if he did not play a single minute, but as he made his way over to applaud the raucous travelling England contingent, you get the feeling he will get his opportunity in the tournament.
How Dan Burn Still Found Himself in the Spotlight
The footage of Burn stepping off the team bus in Arlington was roared by the fans in attendance after being caught on the 60-yard jumbotron as the 6ft 7in man made his way into the AT&T Stadium. Burn did his usual pitch inspection as he walked onto the turf with Harry Kane, as the England stars looked on in amazement at the travelling contingent who had made the 4,750-mile journey to Texas.
Based at the luxurious Adolphus Hotel, England have been cheered everywhere they have been in Texas from the moment Burn emerged from the plane amid the searing 95-degree heat. Certainly, for Burn, it was a bit different to the biting Blyth winters he endured as a kid on the North-East coast, but he went into the game knowing he would need ice-cold composure against England's semi-final opponents from World Cup 2018.
As we approached Dallas, the big screens on the interstate flashed an orange warning urging people to stay indoors amid the melting conditions. But the temperatures were like a mild September night inside the stadium, thanks to the roof being closed and the air conditioning system. The stadium itself was breathtaking from the walk up to being inside the home of America's team, the Dallas Cowboys, but fans who had paid thousands for tickets soon discovered the expense was not over at $9 for a Coke, $7 for a bag of crisps, and $16 for a pint of beer.
Flawless Elliot Anderson Leaves Newcastle Ruing Decision to Sell
The Whitley Bay lad's vision and outstanding technique lit up the World Cup stage on 47 minutes as he found Bellingham with a seemingly effortless pass down the right. Anderson looked calm under pressure for the most part and looks like he is getting better by the game with each international cap, compounding Newcastle's decision to rush his sale to Nottingham Forest. In total, he had 70 touches and looked unflappable; the Toon Academy product is world class but the best is yet to come.
Anthony Gordon Left Screaming in Frustration
This was Gordon's first big game since leaving Newcastle for Barcelona for £69.3 million, and he was playing with an air of confidence. Gordon had barely had a touch when England were awarded a penalty on eight minutes, as the ex-Newcastle man sprinted over to Noni Madueke to congratulate him before whispering in Kane's ear. Kane's first attempt was saved by the keeper before a VAR check resulted in a retake after Dominik Livakovic's foot was off the line, but after going the same side, he found the corner and put England one up, with Gordon joining in the celebrations.
Moments later, Gordon was seen pointing to the back post when Madueke broke free down the right, but the Arsenal man fired at the keeper, leaving the Scouser screaming at the lack of service. Gordon, who also acknowledged his teammates when they did pick him out, did it again when Declan Rice latched onto the ball near the left but failed to roll a pass his way before Rice went over and apologised moments later.
The new Barcelona man had only managed three touches by the half-hour mark but was desperate to make his mark. Like a few of his England teammates, he could only look back in anger after Jude Bellingham lost the ball and Croatia levelled the game up on 36 minutes after a slick move when Martin Baturina curved it past Jordan Pickford.
England were back ahead on 41 minutes after Rice's corner found Kane, who rose high and buried his header. But a defensively vulnerable-looking England collapsed again and lost concentration in the last moments of stoppage time as Ivan Perisic played the ball to an unmarked Petar Musa, who slotted home.
Gordon shoved Bellingham back towards the crowd after he had put England ahead on 46 minutes following a fine pass from Anderson down the right. Livakovic made a save low down to deny Gordon a goal with a header on 56 minutes as England pushed on. The ex-Everton man saw another effort blocked just before his shift came to an end after the second-half water break, as he was replaced by Marcus Rashford.
He had just 16 touches but still had his moments in Texas. After England failed to get him on the ball, his philosophical glance was understandable, not least as Rashford put the lid on it as he whipped home while occupying Gordon's position on the left.
